Police Suspect Link Between Rameshwaram Cafe Blast And Mangaluru Cooker Explosion: Karnataka Dy CM Shivakumar
Speaking on the incident, DK Shivakumar said that the state government is committed to a fair investigation into the matter, and police have been given a free hand to probe the incident.
Rameshwaram Cafe Blast: A day after the blast at Bengaluru's popular eatery, Rameshwaram Cafe, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Saturday that there seems to be a link between the cafe blast and the cooker explosion that took place in the coastal city of Mangaluru in 2022, and the police are looking at all the angles.
Speaking on the incident that left ten people injured, Shivakumar said that the state government is committed to a fair investigation into the matter, and police have been given a free hand to probe the incident at the quick-service eatery in Brookefield area in the information technology corridor in east Bengaluru.
"There seems to be a link between the Mangaluru incident and this incident, according to police officers... materials used (for explosions), we can see a similarity, we can see a link, a timer, and other things," Shivakumar said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, the Karnataka Deputy CM stated that police officers from Mangaluru and Shivamogga too have come here, and all angles are being looked into.
Shivakumar, who is also Bengaluru City Development Minister, said, "There is no reason for Bengalurians to worry; it was a low-intensity blast; it was prepared locally; but the sound was big. Culprit's face is visible from all angles, despite his wearing a cap or specs. From three to four angles, he is seen. Cameras have captured him walking too," as quoted by PTI.
In the cooker blast incident that took place in Mangaluru, an improvised explosive device (IED) kept inside a pressure cooker accidentally went off when it was being taken in an auto rickshaw in November 2022. The investigation into the incident revealed that the IED was meant to be planted at the Kadri Manjunatha temple.
According to PTI, the investigators had found that the Mangaluru cooker blast was "Islamic State-sponsored" and had the involvement of a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative. Shivakumar, also the State Congress chief, said that instructions have been given to the police to look into all angles in the cafe blast.
"We will not meddle in it. The Central Crime Branch (CCB) is investigating; they have formed 7-8 teams and are looking at all angles. There are cameras everywhere in Bengaluru city," the Congress leader said, as quoted by PTI. "He (the suspect) has come by bus, how did he go back is being traced. You (media) too have got clippings that are being telecast. An investigation is being done. The police have been given a free hand," he further said.
The Karnataka Deputy CM noted that the government is very serious about probing the blast incident and there is no question of sparing anyone and said it is a matter of the state's pride. Let the BJP say whatever they want and do anything "we are least bothered about it."
"If they (the BJP) offer constructive cooperation, okay; if they want to do politics, let them," he said. With regards to the treatment of the injured, Shivakumar said that instructions have been given to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Joint Commissioner: "We will take care of their bills."
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Meets Blast Victims In Hospital
On Saturday, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah met with those injured in the blast who were admitted to hospitals in Bengaluru. He assured them that the government would cover their medical expenses.
"Government will bear the treatment charges of all the patients. Around ten people are injured. Three are here in the Brookfield Hospital and six others are admitted in Vydehi Hospital. I am also going there. The patients are recovering and responding very well to the treatment" Siddaramaiah told reporters, as quoted by news agency ANI.
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